Irrigation projects to double up as tourist spots: Minister

Hyderabad, Feb 29 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government will develop major irrigation projects into tourists spots, Information and Public Relations and Tourism Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy said today.

Replying to M Padmaja (TDP) in the Legislative Council, he said major irrigation projects would be developed into tourist spots to promote tourism. The government had developed the Belom Caves in Kurnool District and Borrqa Caves in Visakhapatnam district.

He said the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation had already furnished two km of the underground caves at Belum village with footpath, illumination, restaurant, kiosk amenities and dormitories. The government also proposed to construct a children play park at a cost of Rs 18 lakh there.

However, there was no plan to set up a marriage hall, he added.

Stating that 1.10 lakh tourists had visited the Belum caves last year, he said the government would seek experts' opinion on providing oxygen in the caves.

About consumer forums, State Civil Supplies Minister K Krishna Reddy said there were 29 district consumer forums in the state to settle consumer cases.

Replying to K A Amos (Cong) in the Council, he said out of 1,66,737 cases filed till December last year, 1,66,565 cases were disposed off.